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With sunny skies, glistening crowd-free beaches and temperatures averaging 70 degrees, November is the perfect time to visit Coronado, located a bridge or ferryboat ride away from downtown San Diego. There’s so much to do, from craft beer tastings and lavish Thanksgiving feasts to ice skating by the beach, that you won’t know where to start!

Talking Turkey: Thanksgiving Dinner

The luxurious Crown Room at the Hotel del Coronado will host this year’s Thanksgiving feast.

Let the Hotel del Coronado and Loews Coronado Bay Resort do all the cooking this Thanksgiving Nov. 28 as they serve up turkey with all the fixings in festive elegant style. The Del presents a lavish buffet spread in the Crown Room and Ballroom, with live entertainment. Loews hosts a fab champagne brunch buffet in its main dining room, plus a prix fixe family-style dinner in Mistral.

Ice Skating by the Sea

Skating by the Sea at the Hotel del Coronado

Lace up your skates and head to the Hotel del Coronado on Nov. 27 for the launch of Skating by the Sea, a magically surreal SoCal experience like no other where guests can practice their axel jumps just steps away from Coronado Beach. A portion of ice skate rental proceeds benefit San Diego’s Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Silver Strand Half Marathon and 5K

Rollerblading the Silver Strand Half Marathon

Hightail it to the scenic Silver Strand for the popular annual Silver Strand Half Marathon and 5K on Nov. 17. Participants can run, walk, even rollerblade or rollerskate from Coronado to Imperial Beach; handcyclists and wheel chair participants are welcome too!

Rock n’ Roll: “Suds” at the Coronado Playhouse

Suds hits the stage at the Coronado Playhouse this November.

Audiences are in for a rocking good time at the Coronado Playhouse– a 100-seat, cabaret-style theatre on lovely Glorietta Bay – presenting the 1960s musical soap opera “Suds” through the end of the month.

San Diego is known for some incredibly delicious food, so what better way to enjoy as much of it as possible than on a San Diego food tour? I recently had the pleasure of going on one of BITE San Diego‘s neighborhood food tours. BITE has organized, small group (no more than 15 people) food tours of San Diego neighborhoods including Little Italy, Coronado, Old Town, Julian and North Park that operate pretty much every weekend throughout the year.

A sampling of some of the food we enjoyed on the La Jolla food tour!

These tours are not only a great way to sample food at a bunch of great neighborhood spots, but they also provide you a chance to explore an area that you might normally just drive through without really stopping to look around and experience. My La Jolla tour introduced me to a hole-in-the-wall Hawaiian cafe, a cute little coffee shop with some tasty scones and a gem of an oil/wine tasting shop with a hidden back patio with AMAZING views of the ocean!

The amazing view from the back patio at We Olive!

As a food lover, I would definitely recommend exploring the city bite by bite through one of the region’s food tours, and I can’t wait to get out on BITE’s Julian tour this winter (can you say apple pie and hard apple cider? Yum!)

Other great local food tours include: So Diego Tours’ Brothels, Bite & Booze tour and Tacos, Tequila and Tombstones tour – and don’t forget the great Beer and Wine Tours that are available!

What San Diego food tour is your mouth watering for? Tell us in the comments below.

6th Annual Fall Fest on Avenida de la Playa

Join the fun at the Fall Fest along La Jolla Shores

Dubbed “Party on the Playa,” bring the kids and costumes for this super fun block party near La Jolla Shores, one of San Diego’s most iconic beaches. The fun festivities feature local restaurant tastings, a costume contest, bouncy house, live music from Hullabaloo, giveaways, and super spooktacular prizes from local merchants.

Halloween Dinner & Party Cruise

It’s going to be a scary good time aboard Flagship Cruises & Events’ special Halloween dinner cruise. Dig up your most ghoulish friends and best Halloween costume, and come out for a night full of screams out on the water! Your ticket includes a 2.5 hour cruise around San Diego Bay, dining, dancing, musical entertainment, a complimentary boarding cocktail, and the chance to win a great costume contest prize.

Family Fun at Old Town San Diego’s Fall Festival

History comes alive in Old Town San Diego

Hop on the San Diego Trolley’s Green Line to get to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park for its annual Fall Festival, which features tons of unique merchants and artisans peddling one-of-a-kind creations. Kids will get to experience craft making and activities like never before – organizers let their creative juices flow recreating old-fashioned activities that families enjoyed back in 1872. Be sure to check out the nearby Mormon Battalion site where kids can participate in an interactive tour that is educational, state-of-the-art and, most importantly, tons of fun.

12th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival at Old Mission San Luis Rey

The culture and traditions of Mexico shine at Mission San Luis Rey’s Dia de los Muertos Festival

Dubbed the “King of the Missions,” Oceanside’s Mission San Luis Rey celebrates the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos. In addition to elaborate and beautiful altars and offerings to departed loved ones, the celebration includes 75 vendors, traditional food, a chalk cemetery, plus a carnival for the kids. The event even includes a creative car show, where classic car and lowriders become makeshift alters to the departed.

I can make the claim with good authority that the most popular pictures taken while visiting San Diego are of our amazing sunsets. Of course a picture is never as good as the real thing, so I decided to see it in person and surprise my wife, parents and in-laws with a sunset cruise around San Diego’s Big Bay aboard Baydreamin’ 1 of Bay Dreamin’ Cruises.

All Aboard the BayDreamin’ 1

Baydreamin’ 1 is an all-electric and exhaust-free Duffy boat

Before you even leave the harbor, Captains Mike and Jackie McNabb make sure everyone is comfortable aboard Baydreamin’ 1, an all-electric and exhaust-free Duffy boat. My group of six brought plenty of food and drink that we stored away in the boat’s refrigerator. Also provided on board was a table, plates, cups, napkins and even the very important bottle opener!

Once everyone was seated and situated, we set sail into San Diego’s Big Bay and began our sunset cruise.

The Sunset Cruise

These two wanted to join the tour…and enjoy some of our dinner

For the first half of our private sunset cruise, we stuck close to the shore and explored Harbor Island, Shelter Island and more. All the while, we enjoyed great conversation, a delicious deli dinner, homemade mint brownies (made by me!) and plenty of wine and craft beer.

Along the way, Captains Mike and Jackie either provided interesting sightseeing facts or just faded away into the background. The choice is up to you. Our sunset cruise was the perfect mixture of both.

The ride itself was smooth! Duffy boats are not meant for speed; they are meant for comfort. Neither my vertigo-suffering father nor my pregnant wife got seasick aboard Baydreamin’ 1, proving this is a wonderful sunset cruise even for those who don’t have sea-worthy legs or stomaches.

The Sunset!

Such a beautiful sight reminds me of the awesomeness of San Diego

The grand finale came during the second half of our cruise. Captain Mike piloted the boat farther out into the bay to provide us with spectacular views of an amazing sunset to the west and a glittering downtown to the east. As the sun slowly set on the horizon, we raised our glasses to our good health, wonderful family and the amazingness known as San Diego…oh, and I took a lot of pictures!

Family fun in the sun in Coronado! Courtesy Joanne DiBona, SanDiego.org

The Kidvasion has begun! Kids Free in San Diego month is in full swing. As you and your family are in town enjoying the numerous (100+) free deals, be sure to visit sun-kissed Coronado, a bridge away from downtown San Diego.

Kids are sure to get a kick out of these free activities around the island:

The Beach

Build a Sandcastle at the #1 Beach in America – Coronado Beach

Make sandcastles at Coronado Beach – the #1 beach in America – with its expansive stretch of soft white sands. To the north, check out the tail-wagging fun at Dog Beach where friendly fidos splash in the surf and play fetch. Along Ocean Blvd., can you spot the giant sand dunes that spell C-O-R-O-N-A-D-O? Pretty neat!

Fly by the Coronado Museum of History & Art (kids under 12 are free with 1 adult paid admission) to check out their new 100+ Years of Yachting exhibition, plus cool U.S. Navy display. To see the real thing, head to Shoreline Park (First St. & I Ave.) for a peek at the Navy’s mighty aircraft carriers. A free air show of sorts can be seen almost daily at Coronado Beach, with Navy jets and helicopters flying overhead on their way to NAS North Island.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Coronado Public Library to gander at massive glass panels depicting scenes from the Wizard of Oz. Oz author L. Frank Baum lived in Coronado! Join Coronado Touring on a walk back in time through the Hotel del Coronado (Baum’s inspiration for the Emerald City) and past the yellow cottage where Baum wrote a few of his fantastical children’s books. Tour is free for kids under three ($12 each for mom and dad).

Secret Art of Dr. Seuss

The whimsical “Secret Art of Dr. Seuss” at Stephen Clayton Galleries

Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat greets guests at Stephen Clayton Gallery

Another famous children’s author who lived in San Diego was Dr. Seuss. Discover the “Secret Art of Dr. Seuss” – including sculptures of magical creatures and other-worldly paintings – at the Stephen Clayton Galleries at the Coronado Ferry Landing.

Fall is here and there’s no better time to visit scenic East County where the trees are starting to change into a kaleidoscope of autumn colors – a real treat for leaf peepers! Over the weekend I trekked to East County’s legendary Palomar Observatory to do some exploring and I’ve got to say, it was out of this world! (pun intended)

Half The Fun is Getting to the Palomar Observatory

Palomar Observatory amongst the changing leaves.

The drive there was half the fun. Take Highway 78 east from Ramona – where you’ll pass some excellent local wineries offering tastings – then fuel up with a quick bite of scrumptious apple pie at Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel. Just past the bakery, head north on Highway 79, then west on Highway 76 toward Lake Henshaw. After La Jolla Indian Reservation, turn right on South Grade Rd./S6 which begins a wonderfully winding adventure up Mt. Palomar with panoramic overlooks at every turn. You can see as far as the Pacific!

Atop the mountain, continue straight on Canfield Rd. and follow the signs to Palomar Observatory. Forests and fern meadows abound; don’t be surprised if you spot flocks of wild turkeys on the roadside! (Mmm…Thanksgiving! 😉 )

What To Do Once You’re There

Andromeda galaxy at the Palomar Observatory museum.

Seeing the observatory’s giant Art Deco-style white dome for the first time is jaw-dropping! Inside, a colossal 7-story Hale Telescope points toward the heavens. Tours are available Saturdays/Sundays at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM at the low price of $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children under 12 are free. Be sure to explore the free museum, spotlighting Palomar’s stellar discoveries, including the first brown dwarf and a planetoid called Sedna. My favorite cosmic find was a massive photo (above) of the twinkling Andromeda galaxy gracing the back wall.

Did You Know…

7-story dome at Palomar Observatory

Palomar Observatory houses the 8th largest telescope in the U.S. and weighing in at 14 ½ tons, the telescope’s main mirror is one of the heaviest pieces of glass in the world!

On The Way Back

Do a little birding at the Lake Henshaw Vista Point

Head down Mt. Palomar on East Grade Rd./S7. At the 1.8 mile marker, stop at Henshaw Vista Point for breathtaking views of Lake Henshaw. Keep your eyes peeled for hawks and eagles soaring high above Santa Ysabel Valley. If you close your eyes, you can imagine you too have taken flight over San Diego’s East County…Will wonders never cease! 🙂

Ah, sun-kissed Coronado, located a bridge away from downtown San Diego. Fall is one of the best times of year to visit the “Crown City,” as the beach crowds diminish, hotel rates dip ever so slightly and the days continue to be nice and warm, with an average autumn temp of 74!

If you’re headed to Coronado this season, following are some fun new things to see and do around the island:

Fine Dines

1887 on the Bay

Coronado’s new 1887 on the Bay restaurant

The redesigned 1887 on The Bay – formerly the Coronado Boathouse, an iconic landmark on Glorietta Bay that looks just like the Hotel del Coronado’s main turret – introduces new Chef Jess Le Desma who instills a rich Asian/Hawaiian ethnicity into his Pacific Rim menu.

Mistral

Just down the road, the elegant Mistral at Loews Coronado Bay Resort – featuring spectacular panoramic views of San Diego Bay – introduces an eclectic global-fusion menu by new Chef de Cuisine Adam Cho that highlights his penchant for tapas-style small plates, Mediterranean flavors and passion for seafood.

For landlubbers, hop aboard the new Coronado Beach Buggy for a fun 40-minute tour that uncovers all the treasures that make Coronado so special, including America’s Best Beach, historic homes, the charming Village and Naval Air Station North Island. The buggys makes daily stops at the Glorietta Bay Inn; cost is only $10.

Ahoy!

Sail along with “100+ Years of Coronado yachting”

Set sail for the Coronado Museum of History & Art (1100 Orange Ave.) to check out their popular new exhibit, “100+ Years of Coronado Yachting,” spotlighting the island’s rich nautical past as a yachting hub. Admission is free.

It’s time for a dose of sunshine, and a weekend in San Diego is the perfect prescription! Spend the weekend enjoying all the outdoor activities the county offers along with these top things to do.

Ramona County Fair

Hop in your car or on the tractor and head out to East County for the Ramona County Fair

Explore San Diego’s back country with plenty of family fun including rides, carnival games, vendors, beer and wine gardens, food, entertainment, and much more. The Ramona Country Fair is a great four days of fun.

Pine Valley Days

Start off Saturday with the Pine Valley Days Parade

Start off the weekend at with delicious deep pit BBQ and dancing under the stars to live music. On Saturday, cheer on a local parade followed by plenty of fun at the Pine Valley Days festival, which features bouncies for kids, rock climbing wall, live music, a horse shoe tournament and a market place with over 30 vendors.

La Jolla Fashion Film Festival

The two-day film festival set in a world-class coastal resort destination features exclusive screenings held in the center of the La Jolla Village, fashion webcasts, seminars and panel discussions, film debuts, industry mixers, after parties, and more.

Summer Movies Under the Stars

Enjoy a modern blockbusters while lounging under the warm San Diego sky

End the long summer days with a movie under the stars this week. The Stone Brewing Co. World Bistro and Garden’s Late Night Movies will be screening Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Movies including Monsters Inc., The Croods, Wreck-It Ralph, Brave, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted andThe Rookie will be screened for free at parks throughout the county. Viejas Outlet Center will be showing Avatar and Toy Story. There will also be screenings of the latest blockbusters at the local drive-in theaters.

Brew Rendezvous: Beer Social And Fundraiser

A social beer and food fundraiser, Brew Rendezvous features San Diego’s top brewers, restaurants, and farms. Proceeds from this event benefit Community Health Improvement Partners’s (CHIP) efforts to tackle obesity through the development of a healthy, sustainable, regional food system.

Who Dunnit? Old Town Murder Mystery Tour

Help figure out who dunnit during an Old Town Murder Mystery Tour

There’s been a murder in Old Town, and the city needs your help to solve the case! You will have to crack codes, decipher riddles and participate in crazy challenges to successfully complete this very important mission, all while enjoying a walking tour of historic Old Town San Diego.

Summer is the perfect time to see why Travel + Leisure voted San Diego the #2 Most Attractive City in the United States, when warm beach weather and sunkissed smiles lend an extra-special glow to the twenty-something social scene. So if you’re looking to mingle, make sure to hit up these great events and establishments for a San Diego summer you won’t forget.

Opening Day at the Del Mar Races

It’s time to pull out your favorite fascinator and join the pageantry for opening day at the Del Mar Races, July 17, 2013.

It’s time to dust off your favorite fascinator and head to opening day of the annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Racing Season, beginning July 17. Whether you enter the “One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest” or not, you will be delighted by the opening day pageantry, both on and off the track. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive upgrade to your opening day experience, the Coors Light Opening Day Party includes live music, DJ’s, private trackside area, beer garden and specialty food stands.

Tailgating at a Polo Game

For a different take on the usual tailgate party, check out one of the Sunday polo matches with the San Diego Polo Club.

Your tailgate party doesn’t have to wait for the fall football season. In San Diego, tailgating is more than welcome at your friendly Sunday match at the San Diego Polo Club. The time-honored tradition is one of the best ways to watch the game. And this is no pre-game event…your car pulls right up to the east side of the field so you can sit field-side and watch the game with your picnic! Things allowed: Pop-up tents, umbrellas (it gets hot!), chairs, blankets, food, alcoholic beverages and bocce ball.

Become a World Champion at the 60th Annual Over the Line Tournament

This Summer, take part in a long-standing San Diego tradition: the 60th annual Over the Line Tournament on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay.

Over the Line, a bat and ball game played with 2 teams of 3 players each, is a San Diego original and Southern Californian tradition whose World Championship title is defended passionately by those entering the 60th Annual World Championship Over the Line Tournament in Mission Bay. For two weekends in July, the sands of Fiesta Island are filled from 7:30 AM until sundown with fired-up teams ready to go for the gold while spectators enjoy the camaraderie and competition under the sun.

Making History Fun with Brothels, Bites, and Booze Tour

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Join the “Brothels, Bites and Booze” tour with So Diego Tours and you’ll find out how San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter comes by its reputation as a sophisticated playground of dining, drinking and dancing honestly. “Brothels, Bites and Booze” is one part insightful historical walking tour and one part traveling dinner party that takes you through the Gaslamp’s 19th century beginnings as San Diego’s red-light district while keeping you well fed and watered at some of the Quarter’s best present-day dining establishments.

Choose Your Own Adventure at Stone World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station

Good Food, Great Beer and Bocce Ball! Do you need anything else?

The newly opened Stone World Bistro & Gardens in Liberty Station has come just in time for summer fun. The palatial choose-your-own-adventure style layout is perfect for any type of gathering, including office happy hours, a buddy’s birthday, a first date or a casual night out looking to meet new friends over a game of bocce ball. The beer is as good as always, the food is delicious and nutritious, the outdoor seating areas (3 in total) include a bocce ball courtyard, seated patio, and grass lawn for lounging and the occasional plane take-off from the nearby San Diego airport is reason enough to raise your glass. Cheers!

The best remedy to beat the heat? An escape to sunny San Diego! Here are five great ways to cool off while still enjoying the sunshine:

1. Get Wet!

What’s a quick way of cooling down? Jumping into the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean! With over 70 miles of beaches, there is certainly enough room for everyone to spread out their towels, put up an umbrella and run into the water catch some waves.

Speaking of catching waves, kids of all ages love trying to surf or boogie board on the Flowbarrel and Flowrider at the Wave House in Belmont Park.

Add some excitement to your water adventures by cooling off in a lazy river or on a humongous water slide at one of San Diego’s waterparks including LEGOLAND Water Park and The Wave in North County and the brand new SeaWorld Aquatica in South Bay.

2. Get Under the Water

Dive under the surface and explore the world underneath the water. La Jolla Cove offers some of the best snorkeling in San Diego with an abundance of marine life. During the summer, the waters of the cove become home to leopard sharks, but don’t worry they are not aggressive and are amazing to watch as they swim along the cove’s floor.

You can really beat the heat by scuba diving along the La Jolla Canyon, an area under the water rich with life and plenty of places to explore. To get the most out of La Jolla Canyon, it’s best to dive with a seasoned tour company like OEX Dive & Kayak Center.

3. Get Over the Water

Cool off with ocean breezes and explore the waters of San Diego on a surfboard, kayak or standup paddleboard. And who cares if you get splashed or fall in, the water will just help you beat the heat.

Really feel the refreshing ocean air while taking plenty of pictures of the San Diego coastline on a cruise over the bay and Pacific Ocean. There are plenty of options for any group including leisure cruises, speedboats and jet skis.

4. Get Air-Conditioned Entertainment

Sometimes you just need to stay out of the sun for a while and enjoy the luxury of air-conditioning! But instead of just sitting in a large room staring at the wall, why not cool off inside with entertaining live theatre, amazing exhibits and educational fun at local museums, aliens and explosions at a movie theater, or just relaxing at one of the San Diego County cool zones.

5. Get an Ice Cream and/or Beer

For those over 21, spend the afternoon sampling San Diego’s amazing and cold craft beer. Stay safe and visit a few breweries on a beer tour. Best part…the tour busses and vans are air-conditioned!

Tips to Beat the Heat

Please remember to stay safe while you are out enjoying San Diego’s warm weather. Always drink plenty of water, regularly apply sunscreen, wear a hat and lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to protect your skin, and take regular breaks from the sun by relaxing in the shade or indoors.